Betty's got a shimmy

ThomasMagna · August 14, 2006, 05:30:56 AM

It's been absolutely beautiful here and I have been out riding as much as possible. On yesterday's ride I noticed that she wasn't cornering as well as usual and thought I felt a shimmy. I beat it over to a newly paved road that I travel often just for the road. Anyway, I put on the cuise contol and lifted both hands off the bike and the wobble started. I flicked off the control and straight lined it home.

I did hit a pretty good pothole the day before and that might have messed things up for me. Since it was dark, I could really see anything. I thought I'd see if I could notice a missing ballance weight or deformity in my NEW tireand cracks in the rim or bends in the forks. Anything else you folks can think of for me to check Mechanical or physical?
Guess I might chould check out the rear tire too. Try to check the alainment.

Thanks.

roboto65 · August 14, 2006, 06:48:32 AM

I would check the balance or have someone do it and while I was at that I would check the forks to see if they were lined up right with the axle and check the tire over good.... You might have jammed it a little and probably when you loosen the axle it will relieve the tension and all will be good...

ThomasMagna · August 14, 2006, 09:31:30 AM

Thanks Allen,

I was planning on taking the wheel off and into the shop for reballancing. I thought I remember them putting two weights on the front wheel and now there is only one. It could be that it just looked like they put two on. I may have mistaken taking one off and putting another one on for putting two on. I watched as they did it. It is only $7 for the ballance and I can afford it and I am worth that. I hope it is simple.

I haven't put in the new fork oil yet, could that help or not.

THanks again Allen and everyone else.

roboto65 · August 14, 2006, 09:59:56 AM

Well the new fork oil would not hurt hehehehe but thats probably not the cause you are probably right in that a weight is missing and thats the cause hope that fixes it...

ThomasMagna · August 20, 2006, 07:05:54 PM

I finally got time to mess with the front wheel. I jacked up the front end and spun the wheel. I could hear, not grinding exactly, but rubbing. I loosened the pinch bolt and the axle itself then tightened them back up. Still rubbing. I'm still gonna take it in to see if it is out of balence, not that that will stop the friction, but i am curious anyway.

Any suggestions welcome.

John Luttrell · August 20, 2006, 07:43:10 PM

I would remove the front wheel and inspect the bearings. They should feel smooth when you turn them with your finger; any roughness or binding and they need replaced.

ThomasMagna · August 21, 2006, 05:38:50 PM

Thanks John.

I went out this morning to take to wheel off. I never quite got that far as somethin else came up. I did do what i should have done yesterday, which is to turn the wheel and feel around. I only feel something when I hold the left caliper. I am not sure that is the problem but when I get the wheel off, I'll see if I can figure how to check the disk and wheel for run out.

It is at all possible that the pot hole took out my disk? I'll check the bearings as you suggest too.

roboto65 · August 22, 2006, 12:28:16 AM

I would be more inclined to say if anything was bent it would be the rim the disk rides with the wheel so and caliper so I would think the disk is OK but hey you never know I hope it is nothing $$$$

ThomasMagna · August 22, 2006, 06:15:31 AM

Allen

I hope it doesn't cost much either. Wheels can't be cheap. Hope I figure it out either way. It is so frustrating not being able to ride. We in out best time of the year to ride as far as I am concerned. May have to get out the bicycle. It isn't as fast, but it corners well. I'm also sort of busy with the farm and have little time to work on it.

Thanks.

roboto65 · August 22, 2006, 07:23:48 AM

More than likely you deformed the tire which it does not take much for the tire to cause the shimmy heck I had one on my bike but it would not happen till I took my hands off the bars and she started to slow down it was the tire looked good but it was not put a new one on and walla all fixed lololool

ThomasMagna · August 22, 2006, 07:31:27 AM

Allen,

I'm sure that would be cheaper than a wheel. It would only break my heart a little since I just changed out the tire recently. I don't know why a deformed tire would make my brake rub when it is jacked up. I looked for deformities in the tire, but not very hard once I felt the rubbing in the caliper.

Got to stop frittering the morning away. I am sort of waiting for the vet, one of the horses has a cut below one eye. He used to be the dominat horse but has lost that position. Doesn't look like he was kicked, but probably ran into something trying to get away from the new honcho.

roboto65 · August 22, 2006, 07:46:43 AM

Greeeeeeeeeeen Acres is the place to heheheheheheheheheh hope it's not to bad kind sucks losing ground hehehe for a horse ....

Charles S Otwell · August 22, 2006, 08:07:11 AM

Hey Thomas
Before you take the wheel off hold a magic marker tight against the fork with the tip just almost touching the rotor , spin the wheel slowly you should be able to get an idea if the rotor is warped . Move the Magic marker up the fork ando the same thing on the rim of the wheel.then the tire. I would even check both sides and the center of the tire. You should be able to tell if any thing is warped or out of round. If you have access to a dial indicator it would be even better, but the magic marker will work. good luck. Oh by the way I liked the farm pics nice place again good luck with the shimmy problem hope it's not serious..

Greg Cothern · August 22, 2006, 08:12:40 AM

I concur with Charles!!! Remember rotors are known for getting hot and warping sometimes.

ThomasMagna · August 22, 2006, 09:37:28 AM

That is sound advice. I was thinking of checking that stuff but sounds easier while still on the bike. I thought I noticed the brakes being less responsive.

I'll let you know when, but I'll take a few more pics of the place as we have made lots of improvements since the last time I posted any photos. I still have the photos from the Vintage Motorcycle days to put on the ste too.

In three years when I apply for social security, I may be able to make a wrench session down that way.

Thanks CHarles and Greg. It's people like you and the other MOOTsters that make this the best forum on the web. Friendly and supportive. Heck, I even have hope for the human race now, a beneficial side effect.